Transcript Highlights:

• They get charged a sales tax on that amount.
• So this bill just removes that as a line item that they do not have to pay sales tax on.
• They do not have to pay sales tax on, and that's going to help our small business owners especially.
• What we're seeing out of the Missouri Department of Revenue, when they come in and do a sales use tax
• What we're seeing out of the Missouri Department of Revenue, when they come in and do a sales use tax

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further. The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the question is about sales tax, and from his experience with sales tax, it would be very difficult
• tax uh for my experience regarding sales tax uh for my experience with<00:37:53.920><c> sales</c><00
• </c><00:40:05.839><c> tax</c> you that's your answer to the sales tax you that's your answer to the sales
• </c><00:52:26.079><c> tax</c> happened on your watch is the sales tax happened on your watch is the sales
• You know, we're predominantly income and sales.

Bills: HF25 , HF4

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if members realize that alcohol sales generally and beer sales in particular are on the
• But a lot of our little craft breweries across Minnesota are struggling right now due to declining sales
• I'm not sure if members realize that alcohol sales generally and beer sales in particular are on the
• So we have to have a whole separate lane of licensure for these low-dose products. to declining sales
• in uh the beer space. to declining sales in uh the beer space.

Summary: The House considered a Senate message announcing that the Senate had concurred in and adopted the conference committee report on Senate File 2370, the cannabis bill. Representative Stevenson moved adoption of the report and explained that the conference committee had largely retained House provisions while making additional changes, including directing the Office of Cannabis Management to return with a medical-market streamlining proposal, expanding testing capacity, and adding an expungement provision. Representative West also urged adoption, saying the bill improved the measure and moved Minnesota closer to a safe, tested, legal cannabis market. During debate on the bill, West argued that the legislation was still too restrictive but would help create a functioning market, support hemp businesses, ease burdens on medical cannabis operators, and improve public safety and expungement outcomes. Stevenson emphasized the bill’s low-potency hemp beverage wholesaler licensing provisions, saying they would support Minnesota breweries and create a needed wholesaling segment in the cannabis supply chain. He also noted that the bill would generate some licensing revenue and help the state’s cannabis market develop more efficiently. Members also discussed the importance of preserving the medical cannabis program for patients, including children with seizure disorders, and the need for clearer local control as cities and counties work with preliminary licensees before market launch. Hansen said local governments have key responsibilities under the legalization framework and warned that delays could affect the expected early 2025 launch. After debate, the House adopted the conference report, and the bill passed as amended by conference on an 80-50 vote, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so many of these are what we would call below-cost timber sales.
• And so many of these are what we would call below-cost timber sales.
• And so many of these are what we would call below-cost timber sales.
• And those sales have gone back backwards. Uh, that's a big deal.
• </c> sales have gone uh gone back backwards. sales have gone uh gone back backwards.

Bills: HB0078 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0052 , SF0069 , SF0070

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• requires them to talk to or speak to the issues of manufacturing, testing procedures, distribution, sale
• Third, the sub puts a moratorium on the sale of these beverages until July 1, 2026. that um the work
• He said there were 146 beverages approved for sale in Kentucky as of last night.
• </c> today maybe it's because alcohol sales today maybe it's because alcohol sales have<00:30:14.679>
• </c> you JT web uh I am the state sales you JT web uh I am the state sales manager<00:31:36.440><c> for

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 202, adopting a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the substitute would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations by January 1, 2026 for intoxicating hemp-derived beverages, direct the University of Kentucky to study manufacturing, testing, distribution, sales, and consumer effects of those beverages, and impose a moratorium on their sale until July 1, 2026. Supporters, including Rep. Matt Cook, said the measure was intended as a consumer-protection step rather than a ban, citing concerns about youth access, inconsistent labeling, and the need for a clearer regulatory framework. Members asked about the legal status of the products, whether the bill could unintentionally sweep in non-intoxicating hemp beverages, and whether there was evidence of harm. Senators were told the products are legal under the federal farm bill loophole, but that testing has shown THC levels on sampled cans did not match labels and that current regulations do not specifically address intoxicating hemp-derived beverages. Senator Higdon said CHFS had already been authorized to regulate hemp products and was moving forward with regulations and enforcement, while Senator Meredith questioned whether a moratorium would unfairly punish businesses that had already invested in the market and suggested setting a THC standard instead. Public testimony then shifted to industry opposition. Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp said his company had invested heavily in a beverage line and argued the moratorium would function like a ban and harm small businesses. Dee Taylor of 502 Hemp and the Kentucky Hemp Association also opposed the moratorium, saying existing rules already require age limits, behind-the-counter sales, and licensed retailers, and arguing that a cap on milligrams would be preferable to a shutdown. He said retailers were seeing approved and unapproved products in the market and urged work with the Cabinet and ABC rather than a moratorium.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Minnesota, prior the mortgage sale.
• The first is the situation where the lender has first postponed the sale.
• before the sale.
• before the sale.
• </c><00:38:12.720><c> of</c> and sales of homes and sales of and sales of homes and sales of buildings

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Livesley: The original rule required a sale yard release for each individual lot sold, which created
• Sale days are busy, and we know that if you are going to inspect a sale yard, they kindly ask that you
• do not do it in the middle of a sale because there is a lot of activity going on.
• sale.
• And so when we... asked, don't do it in the middle of a sale. There's a lot of stuff going on.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Miller: Nothing in this bill impacts sales taxes.
• The bill is not relevant to sales taxes. Chair: Representative Gantt, you are recognized.
• If I buy a 50 million dollar yacht I pay no sales taxes on it.
• If I buy a corporate skybox I do not pay sales taxes on that ticket.
• I joked with them, "Well, if you cannot find the money, maybe you have to have a bake sale."

Transcript Highlights:

• When they're coming for these awards, we can have a better plan for our bond sales as we try to base
• financial plan in November will reflect all these changes as well as what we anticipate for the bond sale
• That sale was in June of this year, which we strategically placed with our phase two funding award.
• We'll also be updating our bond sale strategy.
• We will be looking at if there are projects from the past couple of bond sales that are stagnant.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill also extends the sunset on the IT sales tax exemption to 35 years.
• Uh, this bill also extends the sunset on the IT sales tax exemption to 35 years.
• Uh, this bill also extends the sunset on the IT sales tax exemption to 35 years.
• Uh, this bill also extends the sunset on the IT sales tax exemption to 35 years.
• Uh, this bill also extends the sunset on the IT sales tax exemption to 35 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• We utilize this model for two policy campaigns: No Minor Sale and 24-7.
• I'll be talking about one of our campaigns, No Minor Sale.
• , and our goal is to reduce the sale of nicotine products to minors under the age of 21.
• The FDA submitted rules restricting the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of all menthol-flavored
• Hello, I'm Andrea McNeely, No Minor Sale Campaign Manager.

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• For reciprocity, you mentioned that this bill, as I read it, would allow direct-to-consumer sales just
• For reciprocity, you mentioned that this bill, as I read it, would allow direct-to-consumer sales just
• For reciprocity, you mentioned that this bill, as I read it, would allow direct-to-consumer sales just
• </c> more stringent bills to stop um the sale more stringent bills to stop um the sale of<00:51:06.640
• of all flavored tobacco end the sale of all flavored tobacco products<00:55:13.680><c> within</c><00

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> forecasts for sales and corporate taxes. forecasts for sales and corporate taxes.
• Our decreased forecast in gross sales tax receipts reflects weaker-than-expected collection since end
• due to increased sale of other cannabis<00:42:55.280><c> products.
• like why the bond sale was smaller than<00:43:17.359><c> anticipated?
• </c><00:45:19.920><c> tax</c> general, um possibly on sales tax general, um possibly on sales tax revenue

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Aaron Campbell, State Economist Dr. Tony Becker, and State Budget Director Anna Mingi presented the November 2025 budget and economic forecast. Campbell said the state now projects a nearly $2.5 billion surplus at the end of the 2026-27 biennium, about $575 million better than the end-of-session estimate, but also a projected negative balance of about $2.9 billion in FY 2028-29, reflecting a worsening structural imbalance. He said the budget reserve stands at $3.4 billion, with cash flow and budget reserves totaling $3.8 billion after a $244 million addition, and emphasized that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy remain strengths even as future sessions will need to address the long-term gap. Becker said the national economic outlook has changed only modestly since February, but growth remains below trend through the forecast horizon. He cited slower consumer spending, weak private investment, continued tariff uncertainty, lower projected immigration, and modest inflation that stays near 3% through 2026 before easing. Revenue forecasts for the next biennium were revised up to $66.3 billion, driven mainly by higher individual income tax receipts and other revenue, partly offset by lower sales and corporate tax forecasts. He also noted risks from federal policy changes, the recent shutdown’s effect on data availability, and possible equity market volatility. Mingi said general fund spending is projected to rise sharply, with current biennium spending up $3.4 billion from end-of-session estimates and planning-year spending up $1.9 billion. She attributed much of the increase to carryforward from prior one-time appropriations, discretionary inflation, and especially Medical Assistance. MA costs are projected to be about $2.5 billion higher over 2025-29, largely because managed care rates rose more than expected due to higher utilization and higher-cost services, including pharmacy costs, while long-term care and disability waiver costs also increased. In response to questions, officials said the federal reconciliation bill had only a relatively small effect on the health care changes, and that the carryforward amounts reflect unspent prior appropriations that now show up in later years rather than new spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So changes related to the data center sales tax exemption.
• additional requirement to have the Tax Commission provide some reports back to the legislature on the sales
• additional requirement to have the Tax Commission provide some reports back to the legislature on the sales
• the structure of this bill proposes, or RS proposes, is that each project would be able to claim the sales
• Chairman, yes, that was one of the issues when we were discussing because the changes, the current sales

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• you'll be pleasantly surprised that this is an amendment to comprise a task force to deal with the sale
• , the illegal sale of cannabis.
• this specific area so that those with subject matter expertise can help us to prevent the illegal sale
• of cannabis and the sale of cannabis to minors.
• To prevent the illegal sale of cannabis and the sale of cannabis to minors, which I think we would all

Summary: The Senate took up floor debate on H. 4206, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth Cannabis Laws, with repeated amendment votes focused largely on cannabis regulation, transparency, youth access, and the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Early motions included suspending Senate Rule 38A to continue past 8 p.m., which passed by standing vote. Most amendments offered by Senator Tarr were rejected, including proposals on possession limits, CCC executive director appointment and removal, legislative control over medical marijuana licenses, a multi-agency task force on illegal cannabis, annual CCC hearings and reports, an ombudsman, a legislative liaison, a youth-cannabis study commission, supply-and-demand study, and increased penalties for distribution to minors. Amendment 33 by Senator Driscoll, directing the CCC and other agencies to study regulation of intoxicating hemp products, was adopted. Amendment 7 by Senator Brownsberger, allowing cannabis discount and loyalty advertising to existing customers and opt-in email lists, was also adopted. Amendment 29 by Senator O’Connor, allowing the CCC to temporarily suspend or revoke medical marijuana licenses during investigations of illegal sales, was adopted as well. Several other amendments were debated and defeated, including Senator O’Connor’s billboard advertising restriction for cannabis and Senator Tarr’s proposal to increase penalties for selling marijuana to minors. The chamber then took up the bill’s corrective and Ways and Means amendment, adopted both, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote. The final vote showed the bill advancing despite some opposition, including from several senators who voted no on engrossment. After the cannabis bill, the Senate considered and passed two land-related bills by roll call: H. 4772, authorizing easements in Lowell, and H. 4362, authorizing release of agricultural preservation restrictions in Westford. The Senate also adopted a motion that when it adjourned, it would do so in memory of Stephen P. Foutou of Newton, followed by a moment of silence. The chamber then adopted an adjournment order and recessed until the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in Finance Committee, when I presented the bill, we were worried about fraud in Ag Sales Tax Exemption
• And he says, you know, Texas recognizes the ag sales tax exemption from Oklahoma.
• So it's just giving reciprocity to Texas or surrounding states, holders of ag sales tax exemptions, and
• Holders of ag sales tax exemptions and having a reciprocity with the surrounding states of Oklahoma.
• And most of the time, The tax incentives, and most of the time the sales tax exemption.

Summary: The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1. Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0. The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not allow for commercial sales. It does not allow it to be sold in stores.
• The intent is just peer-to-peer sales and allowing government to just kind of get out of the way.
• The intent is just peer-to-peer sales and allowing government to just kind of get out of the way.
• Similarly, we have labeling requirements for tobacco sales that talk about the inherent risks that a
• of raw milk should be limited to monthly sales of 200 gallons of bovine or 100 gallons of raw milk from

Bills: SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Summary: The committee first laid over Senate Bill 1573, then took up Senate Bill 2173, which would create a landowner/energy negotiation and agriculture preservation education program through OSU and Langston Extension, and authorize but not require the Corporation Commission to establish an energy land-remediation fee of up to $25 per acre on disturbed land, with a 50% credit for dual-use projects. Members discussed whether the fee would fall on landowners or projects, the role of county extension offices, and the bill’s lack of a fiscal impact after revisions. The bill was amended, title struck, and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2028, as amended and worked from committee substitute, would allow advertising of raw milk and raw milk products, require labeling, and raise the incidental sales limit to 1,500 gallons per month while still barring commercial store sales. Senators debated whether warning labels should include health risks, especially for pregnant women, and whether the gallon limit was arbitrary. Supporters argued for consumer choice and parity with other risky foods, while opponents raised public health concerns. The bill passed 11-2. The committee then passed Senate Bill 2127, which creates an Oklahoma Department of Food and Forestry advisory council on product classification, by a 11-2 vote. Senate Bill 2117, dealing with contamination of grain and assigning responsibility to the Department of Agriculture after a sewage-related wheat contamination incident, passed 13-0 after members noted the need for clearer definitions of contamination. Finally, Senate Bill 2134, addressing livestock safety and humane treatment after truck wrecks by directing ODAF to develop rules and training for emergency responders, also passed 13-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I spoke during perfection, the original bill here is about sales tax on auction goods.
• They absolutely should be subject to sales tax. And especially, Mr.
• They regulate smoking through tobacco sales through licensing.
• market sales and their sales prices kept as public records.
• We have your income tax decrease, sales tax increase plan.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 132-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize Black History Month, honor several Black colleagues and public servants, observe a moment of silence for the late Dr. Steven Leon, and deliver a lengthy tribute to the late Freeman Bosley Sr. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests and school groups, including congressional and local officials, mental health advocates, FFA students, championship volleyball players, elementary and junior high students, and other district visitors. The House then took up several bills on third reading. The most contentious debate was over House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1663, 1607, and 1973, which removed a sunset from Missouri’s restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. Supporters framed it as protecting fairness and women’s sports; opponents argued it targeted a very small number of students, was discriminatory, and distracted from more pressing issues. After extended debate, the measure passed 98-37. The House also passed House Bill 2682, a school-related First Amendment bill, after debate over whether it would protect hateful student speech; it passed 99-47. Lawmakers next passed House Bill 2274, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, to make it easier for teachers to transfer credentials across states, especially for military families, by a vote of 133-13. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, dealing with sales tax on durable medical goods and certain auction items, passed 98-36 after criticism that it was too broad and would benefit high-end auction sales. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill that also allows localities to enforce a tobacco age of 21, passed 93-43 amid debate over local control and youth tobacco access. House Bill 2145, allowing businesses on two-lane highways to place signs across the road, passed overwhelmingly 142-2. Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 169, which would limit state and local spending growth to prior-year levels plus inflation and population growth, with emergency exceptions. Supporters called it a way to restrain government spending and align with the Hancock Amendment; opponents raised concerns about how it could interact with future tax policy, including the proposed income tax elimination plan. The resolution was discussed at length but ultimately advanced by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• , also known as remote sales.
• , aka, also known as remote sales.
• sales tax.
• Is this only in commencing with a sale, or can they do this and still operate?
• So, a quarter-percent grocery sales tax in 1846.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm available for any pre-sales.
• specifics for the sale of condominiums to<00:14:02.440><c> low-income</c><00:14:02.960><c> buyers.
• period where during this initial sales period where during this initial<00:19:25.880><c> sales</c><00
• We were on the verge of the next step being pre-sale.
• We were on the verge of the next step being pre-sale.

Bills: SB3302 , SB2061 , SB2050 , SB2102 , SB2694 , SB2089 , SB847

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard. A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.